The card generated some controversy over the authenticity of the signatures, but Topps, PSA/DNA and JSA all gave them passing grades.

Beckett reports that the card, which features nine autographs and was pulled from a pack by a Missouri collector, was a gift Perez decided to buy himself after signing his first big money MLB contract.

Perez is a collector and a big fan of the game’s history.

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Baseball cards as investments?

Minyanville.com, a financial website, recently included baseball cards in a series of articles on “alternative investments”. It’s more of a primer for those who don’t quite understand the hobby and it’s a little thin on details, but here’s what they wrote.

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Philip Weiss Auctions will have a three-day event March 4-6 at its Oceanside, New York offices that will include a number of vintage baseball cards and sports memorabilia.

Featured on Sunday will be items pertaining to former heavyweight boxing legend Jack Johnson, to include an 18kt gold and black opal pendant presented to Johnson in honor of his successful title fight against Tommy Burns in Australia on Dec. 26, 1908; and a walking stick presented to Johnson in London in 1911. An accompanying video shows Johnson with the stick.

Coach Joe Paterno’s necktie from his 400th career win was auctioned off for $10,200 at the 19th Annual Connoisseur’s Dinner. Angelo and Matilda Illuzzi of DuBois, Pa., offered the winning bid.

This year’s silent and live auctions raised more than $56,000 for Penn State Public Broadcasting. The annual fundraising dinner was held last weekend at the Nittany Lion Inn.

Paterno wore the auctioned tie during the Nittany Lions’ 35-21 comeback win over Northwestern on Nov. 6 in Beaver Stadium. A Penn State football signed by Paterno and Penn State’s 1973 Heisman Trophy recipient, John Cappelletti, brought in $2,750 and a framed/autographed series of photos of Paterno through the years went for $3,000.

The Connoisseur’s Dinner has featured a variety of Paterno sports memorabilia over the years, including the coach’s autographed khaki pants, white socks, sneakers and neckties from several bowl games.

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Heritage Auctions has agreed to participate in the 2011 Industry Summit in Las Vegas. The company will conduct an information seminar on Sports Auction Consigning, and will work with Summit retail attendees to develop opportunities for revenue growth via the company’s auctions. The Summit takes place March 20-23. Over 120 independent retailers will attend.

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].